Camilla set to confirm Manx capital city status

Queen Camilla is to meet representatives from a range of community groups

Queen Camilla is set to arrive on Manx shores to officially declare the island's capital a city.

Douglas was awarded the status in May 2022 as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The Queen Consort is to sign the Letters Patent at City Hall and meet a variety of local groups, charities, and dignitaries.

She is also due to unveil a plaque in Douglas before visiting Government House, which is the residence of the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer and his wife Lady Phillipa Lorimer.

Queen Camilla will be greeted by the Mayor of Douglas Natalie Byron-Teare and council leader Claire Wells when she arrives at Douglas City Hall at 12:45 GMT.

The Queen is then due to deliver a speech on behalf of King Charles and present the Letters Patent, which confers city status on the borough.

'Special part'

Following the unveiling of a commemorative plaque outside the hall at 13:15, the Queen will meet members of the public.

At Government House she will be greeted by senior politicians, including the chief minister and deputy chief minister Alfred Cannan and Jane Poole-Wilson, along with charity representatives and community groups.

Those include members of the RNLI, which celebrating its 200th anniversary, military veterans, environmental protection charities and the Manx Bluetits sea swimming club, of which Lady Phillipa is a member.

More than 100 primary schoolchildren have also been invited to attend alongside army cadets from the island's combined forces.

Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer said it was "thrilling" that Her Majesty would be able to meet the range of voluntary groups, which were "a special part of our beautiful island".